No police blog lays down the law quite like Second City Cop.

Better known as SCC, the blog has made a name for itself by exposing the corrupt underbelly of Windy City politics and police. Run by a group of anonymous Chicago police officers since May 2005, the scathing commentary has become more than just a way to vent.

In addition to giving the world a realistic glimpse into the Chicago Police Department, SCC has been hailed as the voice for the beat cop. Because of its provocative nature, it’s not uncommon for a single post to garner more than 130 comments. Typically anonymous and sprinkled with curse words, the comments only add to SCC’s in-your-face allure.

Why is SCC is written by multiple people? How did you find each other?

We feel multiple points of view and input contribute to a well-rounded blog. We are friends and acquaintances of many years, districts and units.

Do you think SCC would be the same if it wasn’t anonymous?

Definitely not. We’d all be on midnight foot posts guarding abandoned factories or something nonsensical. The politicians and bosses would have us strung up by our ankles.

You told The Chicagoist the blog was started “to entertain ourselves” … What’s been the most entertaining aspect of it all in the past five years?

Most entertaining? The shenanigans of the politically connected being brought to light, the current and constant missteps of the current superintendent and his staff who have never been the police, never will be the police and look down at police as a bunch of provincial hicks.

Do you feel like blogging is therapeutic as well?

We certainly feel a bit better after getting some rants off our chests. We feel better when some positive change comes out of it, too.

Did you ever imagine the blog becoming so popular or influential?

Nope. It’s flattering that people think we matter that much. We’re just regular cops doing the job by day and typing sarcasm and silliness on off hours.

Do you truly feel like the “voice of the beat cop”?

We don’t consider ourselves the “voice of the beat cop” — that would be arrogant. We’re simply people with opinions sharing with mostly like-minded people who happen to be cops. The “beat cop” thing is secondary to us exercising our wit.

What’s the best thing about being a cop in Chicago?

Chicago cops, by and large, are the best people in the world. Frank, honest, generous to a fault, brave beyond belief, dedicated to a city that treats them badly, a Chicago cop is an amazing individual. They are the best people we have ever known.

And the worst?

The worst is the politics that has infected this job, and the politically connected who erode what is left of morale.

What’s something all LEOs have in common no matter where they work?

An innate ability to sense and recognize BS, no matter the source. Some people mistake it for cynicism, which does exist, but cops see the real results of misshapen political decisions, failed social programs, hopelessness, despair, etc. We see people at their worst, and we see it long before the politicians try to cure it.

Do Chicago cops sport tactical pants? What are your uniform pants like?

If we aren’t wearing our regular 80/20 polyester blends, we have the cargo pants with roomy side pockets and a more breathable fabric. They wear better than the old pants, but if you try to carry anything in the pockets, it looks like you just came from riding in the Kentucky Derby .

(Image via Flickr)